When Demetri, a beautiful gray Domestic Shorthair, arrived at Cat Connection, he was hardly more than a "bag of bones," according to Linda his foster mom. Demetri and his siblings were discovered living in the squalors of a garage. By the time they were discovered, medical attention was urgent.

Demetri was emaciated, anemic, and suffering from renal failure. Even though he was now in the comfort of Linda’s home, he still had a hard time eating. His anemia was suppressing his appetite and making him lose even more weight. The eight-pound cat was barely more than skin and bones.

Linda nursed him back to health. She injected him with fluids to keep him hydrated and fed him what she could. After weeks of tender loving care, Demetri realized he was being helped, and made the choice to live and get better.

Within months, Cat Connection was able to reverse some of the damage that had been done to him. He gained weight and began responding to medications. Staff members at Cat Connection knew that he may never make a full recovery, but at least his prognosis is promising.

Update: Since the filming of this story in August, Demetri has had another setback. After months of treatment and what looked like a promising move toward recovery, it turned out his body had undergone too much stress and his disease progressed. The disease has taken its toll on his body, which is now giving out.

Like all cats, Demetri just wants to be loved, and though it does not look like he’s going to recover, at least he’s spending his final weeks and months in a loving foster home, getting the love and medical attention that he needs. According to Adrienne Hagen, founder of Cat Connection, "Demetri will not be with us for much longer."

You can still help Demetri and other homeless cats. You can donate to help with Demetri’s medical expenses and another cat like Demitri. Don’t forget to like them on Facebook and visit the Cat Connection website. You can help by sharing links to available cats on your Facebook wall to help them find homes.

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